By Gene Cherry
Sun Jun 26, 9:44 PM ET
Copyright © 2005 Reuters Limited
Kerron Clement ran the seventh-fastest 400 meters hurdles in history and Olympic 100 meters gold medallist Justin Gatlin completed a sprint double on the final day of action at the U.S. championships on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Clement, who broke Michael Johnson's indoor 400 meters world record in March, pulled away from Bershawn Jackson approaching the final hurdle to cross the line in 47.24 seconds.
The time was the fastest in the event in seven years.
"It was perfect," the Trinidad-born Clement said.
"It was the first time this year I didn't chop my steps."
Jackson finished second in 47.80 seconds and James Carter claimed third in 48.03 seconds in the meeting, which served as the American trials for August's world championships in Helsinki.
Gatlin clocked 20.04 seconds into a headwind to win the 200 meters and become the first man to complete the sprint double at the U.S. championships in 20 years.
"I want to continue to do the same thing in Helsinki," said Gatlin, who predicted a U.S. sweep in the event at the worlds.
Gatlin had won the 100 meters in 10.08 seconds on Saturday, one day after officials reinstated him in the event following his disqualification for a false start in the preliminaries.
